CANBERRA, March 1 (The Guardian) - We are hearing a news conference from Australia, where officials have confirmed that a Western Australian man has confirmed the country’s first death from Covid-19.

Dr Andrew Robertson, Western Australia’s chief health officer, confirms that the man travelled back to Australia from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. The man was diagnosed in the Howard Springs quarantine facility outside Darwin 9 or 10 days ago.

The man, in his late 70s, passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning in intensive care in a West Australian hospital. His wife is also infected with Covid-19.

Robertson who is giving the news conference, has confirmed that there is still no community transmission in Australia.

The man’s wife is in isolation in hospital and being monitored.